General information

Capital of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is Vientiane. Inland area: 236,800 Km2 .

Located on the eastern coast of the South-East Asian Indochinese Peninsula with no access to the sea, Laos shares borders with China to the North, Myanmar to the North-West, Thailand to the West, Cambodia to the South and Vietnam to the East. An estimated 70% of the total area is dominated by rugged mountains, dense jungle and plateaus. The Mekong, which still remains the main transport link, extends 1800 km.

Laos has 5 million inhabitants with a dominant religion of Buddhism (60% of the population). There is a small community of Catholics while the rest of the population is animistic.

Currency

The official currency is the Lao Kip (L-KIP) although US dollars are widely accepted. The exchange rate is US$ 1 = 9,600 L-KIP and 1 Euro = 13,300 L-Kip.
Traveler’s checks can be cashed only at major banks. Visa and Master cards are now accepted in most hotels in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, and a few restaurants and shops in the main towns (Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse). You can also get cash advances with your credit card either from ATM’s At Vientiane’s BCL Bank or from foreign exchange offices

Climate

Laos has a tropical monsoon climate with two seasons: dry from October to April and rainy from May to September. Temperatures vary according to altitude and can be very cold in mountainous areas from November to February.

Health & medical facilities

No vaccinations are required but visitors are advised to receive inoculations against hepatitis A and B, typhoid and tetanus. Also ask your personal physician about the necessity of anti malaria treatments in the region in which you will be traveling. Inoculation for yellow fever is not necessary although some doctors still recommend it.
While the main city of Vientiane has good hospitals staffed with foreign medical personnel, in Luang Prabang and Pakse there are only local medical staff

Transportation

There are three international airports in Laos: Wattay in Vientiane located 15 minutes from the town center, Luang Prabang in the North, 10 minutes from the heart of the historic quarter, and Pakse in the South located 10 minutes from the town center.
By car, it takes approximately 7-8 hours from Vientiane to reach Pakse and 8 hours from Vientiane to Luang Prabang.

Cooking

Traditional Laotian cuisine boasts over 350 specialties from different provinces. The most famous one is the Lap, a salad with thin slices of chicken, fish or pork. Meals are generally not spicy but make use of a wide array of interesting sauces. Main cities now offer an increasing growing selection of international restaurants.

Shopping

Although Laos is still under development, you can find all kinds of products often imported from Thailand. There is however a strong tradition of cotton and silk weaving. Beautiful fabrics and manufactured products can be found. Prices displayed are usually fixed, but in other cases do not hesitate to bargain.

Visa

To obtain a visa you must first ensure your passport will be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.
For citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the E.U and Switzerland visas can be acquired either directly or through your travel agency at Laotian Embassies and Consulates abroad.

Before going

If you are traveling in the north or the center from November to February warm clothes are recommended and are especially appropriate year round in the northern provinces (Samnua, Phongsaly, Luang Nam Tha, Oudomxay, Luang Prabang and Xieng Khouang).
In the south, light clothing is a must year round except in Paksong (Salavan Province).
We also recommend you bring mosquito repellent, high factor sun – block, a cap or a hat, sunglasses, a raincoat and a small bag to carry a few things in case you have to leave your large suitcases at the hotel for a few days